The Transfer Tavern

Manchester United target WON’T be sold in January

Manchester United fans enter the Football Transfer Tavern to the news that Mark Hughes was quick to respond to recent speculation and that he has issued a hands off warning to Louis van Gaal, after being made aware that the Red Devils are chasing his captain.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the possibility of United signing their latest January target, Ryan Shawcross, is completely off the cards, which will leave van Gaal frantically scouring the market for a player to fill the hole in his defensive line in time for January.

Stoke’s captain emerged as a potential January signing after the club missed out on signing Mats Hummels, after the German voiced his passion for Borussia Dortmund and admitted he could happily finish his career at the club.

If van Gaal were to strike a deal for Shawcross, it would see him return to his former club, after previously being part of the youth set up.

The 27-year-old was initially loaned out to a Belgian side before he managed to earn a loan move to Stoke, which was ultimately made permanent.

And his current boss is adamant he will continue to be a Stoke player and he admits the speculation of him leaving has come from no where.

Hughes said: “I’m not sure where that originated from – I think somebody told me it might have come from America at some point.

“There’s been no contact and I don’t expect there to be any, and we wouldn’t encourage any contact anyway.

“Ryan is very settled here, he is the captain of the club and we have no intention of allowing him to leave.

“He’s a big part of what we want to do in the future.”

Manchester United fans. Although he may seem like a surprise transfer target, do you think Ryan Shawcross could be a successful player at your club? Let us know your thoughts below.